‘So either you drop the piece of burning coal or you fight it by holding on to the fire or you nurture the fire all the while it is burning you more and more intensely. The third alternative is when a thought enters you, instead of dropping it, you work on that thought, you offer it things that make the thought stronger, make the coal burn brighter and more intensely. Many people, if not most, commit this mistake. They encourage the thought by giving it attention and creating scenarios in the mind and alternatives and various ways of getting back and what not. This shall only make the thought grow stronger, the coal burn only more intensely. You actually allow yourself to be burnt with greater force as you are tending to the fire while it burns your palm. You could have easily chucked the burning coal away in an instant but now you are nurturing it while it burns you. Where is the sense in this action? Would you nurture fire burning you or would you instantly protect yourself? You would instantly protect yourself. The more you are in the state of awareness, the faster you will let go of the burning ember. The more preoccupied, the slower your reflexes will be. This is the way to work with thoughts. As I said earlier, it is as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. Thus, when a thought comes to you, you have the power to either delete it, fight it or encourage it. If the thought is not about one’s over all well-being, ideally, one should let go of it immediately by either coming back to the moment or create a situation where the mind is free of that thought by immersing yourself in something that lets you free off that thought. Divert yourself, if you cannot be one with the moment. Chant. Occupy yourself with something that frees you of that piece of burning coal. Do not make the mistake of fighting it or encouraging it. That is a blunder as you are giving more strength to that thought. When you live in awareness, you automatically drop the thought. When you are preoccupied, you shall make the mistake of fighting or encouraging it. When you look at things with a calm mind, you will realize the futility of most thoughts and slowly free yourself from their clutches. Reactions will only make matters worse. Being calm is not only the right thing to do spiritually, but also the most intelligent and practical way to embrace the moment and be free from the clutches of thoughts. Remember, My son, being calm, content and in serene acceptance of each moment is a blessing even the very heavens aspire for. So fragile is our state of mind that a single thought, word or glance can rattle one’s sanity or well-being. The only way out is to be in the moment calmly and focus on the Spirit within rather than the workings of the mind. The mind is a treacherous master but the most soothing aide. Do not let the mind have a hold over you. Let it always be the other way around. That can only happen when you are in the moment, in the womb of silence and awareness. Always know that all of heaven and beyond reposes in the womb of calm silence.’